Yale Summers


Yale Summers was an American actor and producer, whose credits included the 1960s CBS television series, Daktari, with Marshall Thompson.
Summers was heavily involved with the Screen Actors Guild. He was a member of the SAG national board of directors for twenty-seven years and the national executive committee for eighteen years.

Acting career

Born in Manhattan, Summers made his acting debut in the 1961 film, Mad Dog Coll, playing a small unbilled role. The remainder of his career was almost entirely occupied with television. He appeared in a recurring role on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, as Dr. Bob Ayres during the 1964-1965 television season. His best known role was as Jack Dane on Daktari, which aired from 1966 to 1968. From 1972 to 1974, Summers replaced Lawrence Casey in the NBC daytime series, Return to Peyton Place, as the character Rodney Harrington.
His additional television roles included guest spots on Land of the Giants, My Favorite Martian, My Three Sons, The Outer Limits, Quincy, M.E., Fantasy Island, and The Donna Reed Show.

SAG and AFTRA involvement

Summers was a founding member of the SAG Awards Committee and for a time the chairman of that committee. Summers was a co-founder and producer of the Screen Actors Guild Awards from 1995 until 2009.
Summers also served as the former national treasurer and the recording secretary for SAG. Summers was a trustee of the SAG Pension and Health Funds and a member of the board for the SAG Foundation. In 2008, SAG awarded Summers the Ralph Morgan Award for his service and involvement with the union.
Summers was active with another actors' union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He served a combined twenty-four years on the national AFTRA board and the union's local Los Angeles chapter.
SAG and AFTRA merged in March 2012, shortly before Summers' death.

Personal life

The only child of Joseph and Edlie Neuvohner, Summers received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cornell University in 1955 and served in the United States Army, having attained the rank of lieutenant.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1962The Dick Powell TheaterJeff330 Independence S.W. - Season 1 Episode 25
1962Window on Main StreetFredIt's Blessed to Receive - Season 1 Episode 27
1962The Gallant MenYoung Officer Some Tears Fall Dry - Season 1 Episode 8
1962CheyenneLieutenant JacksonJohnny Brassbuttons - Season 7 Episode 11
1963The UntouchablesStudent The Snowball - Season 4 Episode 15
1963General HospitalDr. Bob Ayres
1963The Donna Reed ShowHowardThe New Look - Season 5 Episode 19, Big Wheel Season 5 Episode 33
1963ChanningFraternity PresidentExercise in a Shark Tank - Season 1 Episode 2
1963The New Phil Silvers ShowTBC
1963The LieutenantLt. Barry EverestThe Two Star Giant - Season 1 Episode 4, A Touching of Hands - Season 1 Episode 7
1964My Favorite MartianInternRX for a Martian - Season 1 Episode 16
1964The Outer LimitsBuddy LymanSecond Chance - Season 1 Episode 23
1964The Farmer's DaughterPaul LaytonMismatch Maker - Season 1 Episode 35
1964KarenHoot DubbinsSurfer's Aide - Season 1 Episode 2
196412 O'Clock HighLt. Charley ValeAppointment at Liege - Season 1 Episode 9
1966-68DaktariJack Dane
1969Walter EmmonsOne Small Step for Man - Season 1 Episode 5
1970Land of the GiantsAndreNightmare - Season 2 Episode 16
1971The Smith FamilyMr. BowerCindy - Season 1 Episode 1
1971O'Hara, U.S. TreasuryFreshno AgentOperation: Stolen Bonds - Season 1 Episode 3
1971McMillan & WifeGeorge FairbornThe Easy Sunday Murder Case - Season 1 Episode 2
1972ArnieDougie PritchettRoom at the Top - Season 2 Episode 19
1965-72My Three SonsMultiple Roles
1972Return to Peyton PlaceRodney Harrington #2
1974Big Rose: Double TroubleJames MayhewTV Movie
1975The Blue KnightClarkTwo to Make Deadly - Season 1 Episode 1
1976Emergency!ManagerThe Tycoons - Season 5 Episode 23
1977SwitchPorter CollinsButterfly Mourning - Season 2 Episode 17
1970-78This Is the LifeMultiple Roles
1978The Amazing Captain NemoSirakTV Movie
1978Fantasy IslandPhilipI Want to Get Married/The Jewel Thief - Season 2 Episode 5
1979Quincy M.E.CoronerWalking Softly Through the Night: Part 1, Part 2 - Season 4 Episode 14, 15
1979240-RobertMr. KlineThe Apology - Season 1 Episode 1

Death

Summers died in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 78 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Actor and former SAG President Ed Asner said, "Yale was a good man and a good friend who was totally dedicated to his belief in the union. He was completely unbiased and never took sides. He had a purist vision of how the guild should be run and wasn't swayed by the influence of special interest groups. He put the best interest of the guild and union first. I'm deeply sorry for his passing."